Display device



April 7, 1931.

G. F. PACKARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 19, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR G. F. PACKARD DISPLAY DEVICE April 7, 1931.

Filed March 19, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllll I.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll l I'll'lfllil INVENTOR GranviHeE' Packard.

April 7, 1931. F PACKARD 1,800,099

DI SPLAY DEVI CE Filed March 19, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR GmnviHeE'PacKar'd Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UN l'T-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY DEVICE Application filed March 19, 1929. Serial No. 348,189.

My invention relates to display devices and particularly to such devices as are adapted to display articles of merchandise or advertising matter.

An object of my invention is to provide a display device in which the object to be dis played is caused to move by concealed actu ating means. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide a display device having a movable element that operates in such unusual manner as toattaract the attention andarouse the curiosity of observers.

A further object of my invention is to provide a display device that is simple in construction and durable in operation and that is entirely automatic in the repetition of any desired cycleof movements.

The display device of the present invention is so arranged that a movable member for supporting an article of merchandise or advertising matter is caused to move in an irregular path and to perform such unusual and unexpected movementsas to immediately excite the attention and curiosity of persons observing its operation. The actuating means for the movable element of the display device vare concealed from observation and the mystery with respect to the motive power constitutes an appeal for the close inspection of those whose attention is attracted by the device.

The display device comprises in general .a small electric motor, preferably of the induction type, having a vertical shaft that is magnetized either by the windings of the m0- tor .or by .a separate magnet coil and which moves a memberthat covers the end ofthe shaft through a path that depends uponthe shape of the surface engaged by the outer .end of the shaft. This member, which may be termed ,a traveler, may be of relatively simple shapewith aportion having an edge of irregular or curved outline that will determine its movements or gyrations when the motor is operating.

The details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a display device constructed in accordance with my invention, the traveler and cover plate being removed and parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device of Figure l with all parts in position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of modified motive apparatus which may be substituted for corresponding parts of the device of Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 those of Figs. thereof;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the traveler of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of device with the cover plate and traveler removed;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the device of Fig. 7 with all of its parts in position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a traveler that is provided with means for supporting a card or other similar device, parts being broken away;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a traveler and a fountain pen supported therey;

Fig. 11 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of the clip of Fig. 10 for supporting the fountain pen and a portion of the traveler;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the traveler illustrating a convenient manner in which a magnetic plate may be secured thereinare views corresponding to 1 and 2 of a modification Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the traveler of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the fastening of a magnetic plate thereto;

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the traveler of Fig. 14; and

Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively plan and sectional views of a traveler of modified form.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a display device constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a cylindrical casing 1 having a base plate 2 of laminated material, a cover plate 3, and a cylindrical shell 4 that is provided with perforations 5 for ventilating the interior of the casing. The cover plate 3is preferably of non-magnetic material in order to avoid magnetic leakage from the actuating shaft. The cover plate 3 is spaced from the base plate 2 by means of relatively heavy posts 6 that are provided at the bottom thereof with stud bolts 7 which constitute feet for the casing 1.

Between the'posts 6 is mounted. an electric motor 8 that is preferably of the type that is shown and described in my Patents No. 1,534,282, April March 9, 1926. While the construction and operation of motors of this general type are shown and described in considerable detail .within an upright p the cover. member 3.

ing the outer end of the shaft 7 eler 24 which constitutes the visible movable the eddy-currents. adjacent the in the patents referred to above, a brief description of the motor shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will be given.

Two groups oflaminations or punchings 9 constitute the core member of an electric motor having polar projections 10, 11, 12, and 13 that are formed by suitably notching the laminations 9. The pole pieces are surrounded by a shading coil or secondary member 14 that is provided with slits 15 at diametrically opposite points, whereby the poles 10 and 12 are surroundedby a continuous band of metal, while the poles 11 and 13 are surrounded by a band of metal that is dis continuous at the slits 15.

The core member is energized by a single coil 17 that may be connected to any suitable source of alternating current.

The movable portion of the motorcomprises a vertical shaft 18 that is mounted 'ost 19 and is provided with a ball bearing 20 at the lower end thereof. The upper end of the shaft 18 extends a short distance above the upper surface of The shaft 18 carries a disc 21 of any suitable conducting material, such, for example, as copperor aluminum, that is provided on the upper surface thereof with rings of lami- "nated'magnetic material 22 for the purpose of concentrating magnetic flux therethrough. Restin upon the cover plate 3 and cover- 18 is a travelement of the display device. The traveler 24 is preferably of cup shape and eitherv of magnetic material or provided with a member of magnetic material that is adapted to engage the adjacent end of the'shaft 18.

The operation of the. electricmotor 8 for actuating the traveler 24 will now be briefly described; When' alternating current energizesthe coil 17, eddy-currents are set up in the disc 21 adjacent to the respective pairs of poles 10 and 12, and 11 and 13. For reasons explained in my prior Patent No. 1,534,282, respective pairs of poles are of different strengths and the disc 21 is caused to rotate by atorque 21, 1925, and No. 1,576,002,

what to the shape of the slot 34.

that is applied symmetrically by reason of the location of the diametrically opposite pairs of poles. V

The energization of the coil 17 magnetizes the shaft 18 and causes the latter to attract and engage with more or less force the inner periphery of the traveler 24. The rotation of the'shaft 18 will accordingly-cause the inner periphery around the'shaft 18 and to cause the traveler 24 to" assume various positions on the cover plate 3, the latter being preferably supplied with a smooth upper surface whereby the traveler may readily slide thereon. It will be appreciated further that the movement of the traveler '24 is dependent upon the shape of the periphery with which the shaft 18 engages. V y

In the structure shown in Fig. 3, the motive device is modified in such-manner that the torque is developed on one side only of the rotor shaft, the shaft 18 being embraced and magnetized by the energizing coil 26 of the motor. In this construction the laminations 27 are arranged to provide a single pair of poles 28 29, the latter being provided with a shading coil 30. The operation of this modified form of motive device is otherwise similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 described above. V Y

. The motive d vice shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that of Fig. 3, except that the coils 26 andlaminations 2'? are duplicated, whereby torque is developed on both sides of the shaft, as was the case in the device of Figs. 1 and 2. In this form of my invention, an additional magnetizing coil for the shaft 18 is provided since neither of the coils 26 surround the shaft.

The traveler 32, which is preferably of circular form, is provided with a disc 33 of magnetic material that is secured to the interior thereof and is provided with ii-shaped slot 34, the edges of which are engaged by the shaft 18 to rotate the traveler through a path on the cover plate 3 that corresponds somell-eference may now be had to Figs. 7 and 8 in which'a further modification of my invention is illustrated. In this arrangement, an electric motor 8 which may be, for example, a

.motor corresponding in construction and operation to that of the motor 8 of Figs. land 2, has a shaft 18 that is provided at its upper end witha gear 36 for rotating a toothed disc 37 that is carried'by a shaft 38 that is mounted centrally of the device.',A magnetic coil 39 surrounds the shaft 38. and .actuates a traveler 40 that is similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except thatv it is provided with an opening 41 for any suitable purpose," such as for the insertion of an article tobe displayed on the traveler. v j v The arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8 permits the utilization of a relatively small of the traveler 24 to travel motor 8 by reason of the relatively high reduction of the gear connection between the motor shaft 18 and the shaft 38. The motor 8 may operate at relatively high speed while the traveler will be actuated at relatively low speed.

Referring to Fig. 9, the traveler 40 is illustrated as being provided with a suitable clip 43 which may support a card 44; or other device, such as sheet metal or other material. It will be readily understood that, as the traveler l0 is caused to rotate with respect to its axis and also to be moved bodily around the axis of the shaft engaging its inner periphery, the sides of the card or other display device will be alternately presented.

In Fig. 10, the traveler 40 is illustrated as provided with a clip 45 for securing a fountain pen 46. The details of this connection are shown in Fig. 11.

The traveler t8 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is provided with an interior disc a9 having a slot that is substantially of T-shape, the edges of which are engaged by the motor shaft 18. The shape of this slot causes the traveler 48 to have a characteristic movement that is peculiar to this arrangement.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 14 and 15, a magnetic plate 52 of substantially H- shape is secured to a traveler 53. In this arrangement, the shaft 18 engages the outer periphery of the plate 52 and the effect on the movement of the traveler is correspondingly changed.

It will be appreciated that the display device of my invention operates silently and without exhibiting to the observer any moving parts other than the traveler and the device that may be carried thereby to which it is desired that attention be directed. Accordingly, it is especially suitable for advertising purposes since the attention of the observer is inevitably directed toward the object on display or to such message or other advertising material as may be carried thereby.

While I have shown and described various forms of my invention as comprising a traveler which conceals the outer end of the actuating shaft, it will be appreciated that I may, if I so desire, provide a traveler with an outer form corresponding to the movements desired to be executed by the traveler and to place the traveler with its outer periphery in engagement with the actuating shaft. While this arrangement of the moving parts of the device may not be as mysterious as the form in which the actuating shaft is concealed, it is attractive for the reason that the force which holds the traveler against the rotating shaft is invisible and the novelty of the method of operation constitutes a desirable form of appeal.

The traveler 55 shown in Figs. 16 and 17 is of the type referred to above which has an outer periphery foiyengagement with ;the magnetized actuating shaft.

The traveler is-substantially triangular and 1s-prov1ded 1 with a base-56; havinga central hole 57' by means of which a clip or other device may be easily. and conveniently attached.

While I have shown and described certain articles that may be displayed by the traveler, it will be understood that manyforms .of articles may be mounted thereon for display inthe manner shown and described. The only limitation is the friction produced by the combined weight of the traveler-and itsload as the traveler moves over the cover plate. :However, in casev articles of relatively.;heavy weight are to be displayed, the display device maybe correspondingly large.

The attraction betweenlthe traveler and the actuating shaft must be sufficient to; prevent slippage therebetween, andthe driving power must be SLlfilClGIlt to overcome thefnetion between the traveler-and the cover plate. These requirements involve-a fair balance between the torque at the rotor shaft and the tractive effort exerted upon the traveler.::

If the actuating shaft is provided with a special magnetizing coil, asshown in Figs. A, 5, 7 and-8, the "proper balance referred to may; most easily be obtained.

Many modifications will occur to those,

netic material slidably mounted thereon, a

shaft of magnetic material for engaging said slidably mounted member, .andmeans comprising a metallic discand.asinglecoil for rotating and magnetizing sa d .shaft.

2. A motive device comprisinganiovable .member atleast partially of magnetic material having a continuous surface, means for supporting said member, a rotatable magnetizable shaft-for coacting with said surface, .and a disc of conducting material on said shaft and ,a single coil surrounding said shaft'for magnetizing and rotating said shaft whereby the latter actuates said movable member by reason of the magnetic attraction therebetween.

3. A display device comprising a member of nonemagnetic material having a horizontal'surface, a vertical shaft of magnetic material extending through said member, a member movably mounted on said surface and at least partially of magnetic material, said-movably mounted member enclosingthe upper end. of said shaft andadapted to support an article thereon, and electrical means comprising a conducting disc and a single spaced therefrom, a plurality of vertical posts coil surrounding said shaft for actuating and magnetizing sald shaft to cause the latter to actuate said movably mounted member by means of the tween. r

4. A display devicecomprising'a slidably supported traveler having an inner surface of magnetic material, a vertical magnetizable shaft having its upper portion extending into engagement with said surface and concealed magnetic attraction therebeby said traveler, a disc of conducting'material on said shaft, and means comprising an electrical coil surrounding said shaft for magnetizing and rotating the latter to actuate the traveler through a path at least partially dependent upon the form of said surface.

5. A display device comprising a horizontal base plate, a horizontal cover plate for connecting said plates, a motor mounted between said plates, a vertical magnetizable shaft geared to said motor and extending through an opening'm said cover plate, and

a movable member at least partially of magnetic material mounted on said cover for actuation by said shaft. V

6. A display device comprisingtwo spaced horizontal plates, an electric motor between said plates and having a magnetizable shaft extending through the upper of said plates,

plate a disc of conducting material on said shaft,

and a coil for rotating and magnetizing said shaft, and a member of magnetic material slidablyrmounted on said upper plate for actuation by said shaft... a

7. A displaydevice comprising a casing having a base plate and-a cover plate connected thereto and spaced therefrom, a motor in said casing and having a shaft extending through said cover plate and a disc of conducting material on said shaft and a single field coil surrounding said shaft for magnetizing and rotating the latter and a traveler slidably mounted on said cover plate for actuation by said shaft. 8. A portable unitary display device comprising a base plate, a cover plate, vertical posts for connecting said plates and having extensions thereof for supporting said base plate, a motor secured between said plates, a magnetizable shaft operatively connected to said motor and extending through said cover plates, a vertical magnetizable shaft extending through the upper plate and geared to said motor for actuation thereby, and a traveler slidably mounted on said upper plate for actuation by said shaft.

I In testimony whereof, I havehereunto subscribed'by name this 18th day of March, 1929.

GRANVILLE F. PACKARD. 

